Last performances close VPA’s 50th season

The curtain comes down this weekend on the landmark 50th season of Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla.

The classic family musical Willy Wonka hits the stage for four final performances Thursday through Sunday. Directed by Chrissy Bentti and VPA artistic director Kai West, the show will run at 7 p.m. the first three evenings, then close with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Adapted from the 1964 Roald Dahl children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and later popularized by the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, featuring Gene Wilder in the title role, the stage version presents the same story and delicious adventures of Charlie Bucket on his visit to Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.

Subsequent versions of the story appeared on film in 2005, when Johnny Depp played Wonka in director Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. More recently, Academy Award winning actor Timothee Chalamet portrayed the eccentric chocolatier in the 2023 film Wonka.

In her second year as Valley Performing Arts’ executive director, Jenna Worley said audiences have loved this production of Willy Wonka, which opened March 27 at the theater at 251 W. Swanson Ave. A few tickets are still available for all remaining performances.

“It’s so good. The energy has been great. The cast has been so excited to be able to do it,” she said. “Even all the volunteers backstage bring that wonderful energy, and the audience can feel it, too.”

The story follows Charlie and four other children on their tour of Wonka’s factory as they learn to follow Wonka’s rules or suffer the consequences. The VPA production casts veteran Aaron Peatross in the title role. Silas Graham plays young Charlie Bucket.

The stage version retains songs from the original movie alongside new tunes by songwriters Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

Worley said Willy Wonka is a fitting close to the theater’s 50th season, which has been full of hits. She said she is looking forward to her third season at VPA’s helm and the 51st season of presenting quality theater to local audiences.

“We’ve had such a wide variety of shows this season. It was a great lineup that I’ve been thrilled to be a part of,” she said. “I’m really honored that I got to be a part of this milestone season.” Audiences at the remaining performances will get a sneak peak at next season’s scheduled shows in the playbill. Tickets can be reserved online at https://vpaalaska.org/